Vero Beach to 4 Busted Spokes in Stuart, Florida 46.1miles (74.1 km)

After a full day off yesterday in Vero Beach, I had every intention of putting some big miles behind me.  I left Vero Bach at a little after 7:00 am and rode a quick 12.7 miles (20.4 km) to a Cumberland Farms Gas Bar and Variety Store where I stood hydrating myself with 2 bottles of Starbucks Cold Coffee and a bottle of coconut water. An ol' timer named Fred asked if I was on a long trip and burst out laughing when I told him I started in Brantford, Ontario. He wasn't laughing at me, but rather because he used to live in the Orillia, Ontario area. 

We talked for a while and then one of his friends showed up, Rick, a Ukrainian who recalls the Nazi's chasing Jews through the woods when he was only five-years-old. While Rick was in the store, Fred proceeded to tell me that Rick's mother was shot through the chest, by Germans as she held him. "I don't understand how people can do this to one another," Fred said. 

"Did you see Rick's hair when he walked by? It looks like a wig doesn't it? It's his real hair."

Rick walked out and I couldn't help but notice how Fred was correct about the hair which was unusually thick, mostly grey and with tight curls that created the appearance of a helmet of hair atop the romanesque face of Rick. The three of us stood talking about US versus Canadian politics and health care. They wished me well and I was once again on my way.

About 8 miles out of Fort Pierce along Highway A1A I passed the Florida Power and Light - St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant.

The St. Lucie nuclear plant started operating in 1976 with one unit. A second unit was added in 1983. This plant generates approximately 1,700 million watts of electricity which is enough to supply over 500,000 homes for a year. I have no doubt that consumption is up given the use of air conditioners during these hot summer months. The heat index was over 90F by 9:30 this morning! I was more concerned about me having a meltdown than any nuclear power plant.

I continued down A1A until Stuart Beach where I stopped for lunch and to wait out the heat of the day. Once over the Intercostal Waterway Causeways and in the town of Stuart, I turned onto South East Monterey Road (Route 714) which would bring me to Highway 1 South. I was in a line of traffic at the intersection of Monterey and Old Dixie, planning to turn left onto Old Dixie. I could feel the heat radiating up from the pavement below which was coupled with the hot exhaust from the pick-up truck in front of me. The driver of that pick-up looked at me in his rearview mirror a couple of times. I signalled to the cars behind and beside me that I'd be turning left when the light changed.
A car horn gave a short honk that I intuitively knew was for me, but I wasn't sure why. The light changed.

I pedalled hard to gain momentum and keep up with the traffic, but I heard a clunk followed by a snap-twang and then another snap-twang and then one more snap-twang. I kept pedalling until I was through the intersection. I had heard that kind of clunk before... when a stick or limb from a tree gets caught in your spokes.

I don't know for sure but someone may have gotten out of their car and meanly and intentionally stuck something in my spokes. I only surmise this because of the guy in the pick-up looking at me (or someone coming up behind me) and the car honking at me - probably to warn me of what I was about to befall.

Standing at the side of the Old Dixie Highway, I turned my iPhone's Data Feature on so that I could Google the nearest bike shop. Thankfully, Bike Street USA was located within a mile of where I stood.

This is Genady Zisholtz of Bike Street USA repairing my bike. Genady and his coworker Corinne Schmid welcomed me to the shop and provided me with excellent service. Bike Street USA is a corporate owned company with numerous locations. The service that these two individuals gave me though, reminded me of the excellent type of service that I had received by the owners of privately run shops, like Camden Bicycle Shop in St Marys, Georgia and Village Bicycle in Tuckerton, New Jersey.

Melbourne to Vero Beach, Florida 36.4 miles (58.6 km)

Sunrise at Melbounre, Florida

Zach was the young guy who helped me out at the Organic Food Center (www.organicfoodcenters.com), along Highway AIA in Indialantic. I stopped to purchase a joint formula supplement. I can really feel a difference in my knees when I take a joint supplement (glucosamine sulphate, MSM, anti-inflammatory herbs) versus when I don't. By the age of 40 we dramatically slow down the production of cartilage in our joints. I'm just inside 2 weeks of my 51st and let me tell you, with the stress of cycling all these miles, my knees feel pretty stiff. The supplement seems to alleviate all of the knee stiffness and the anti-inflammatory herbs help with recovery and keep my shoulder and chest pain quiet.

"Slow Down and Enjoy Life" was the message outside of Station 64 of Brevard County South Beach Fire Rescue.

Melbourne Beach is south of Melbourne and it was here that I saw a sign by the Chapel by the Sea, an Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart," has always been tough for me. I've spent much of my adult life doing life my way; making choices and then asking for God's blessing rather than being quiet and seeking what God might desire of me and for me. We're created with free will, free choice and we are created with the ability to create. Sometimes in our free choice we end up creating an humbling mess. It's all good though because those humbling messes are teaching us something and leading us into a deeper relationship with God.

In 1986, I pulled into Vero Beach after having cycled across the state of Florida via Highway 60. Back then, my impression of Vero Beach had been stifled by what had happened to me on Highway 60 earlier in the day. Today, I rode into the community along A1A and then turned onto Highway 60 heading east toward the beach. I was struck by how bright, cheerful and upscale the place was, which left me wondering if Vero Beach had changed that much in 27 years or had I? Regardless I decided to stop for the day and experience the town.

Christ by the Sea United Methodist Church is along Highway A1A in Vero Beach and displayed the message, "Faults are thick where love is thin." That simple phrase has been on my mind most of the day. Most people when they see the word love, they immediately think in terms of romance, but I don't think that's where 'love' in this phrase is coming from. Rather, it entails "love' as the selfless, non-judgemental giving to another. It seems that no matter how hard I try to be loving a loving individual towards others, conditions get in the way. By 'conditions' I mean the expectations and rules that we have. Some are childhood learned rules and expectations, others are adopted along the way and some are reflections of another person's rules and expectations for love and being loved. Sometimes the conditions are imposed by me, and at other times the conditions of being loved are imposed by the one I'm intending to love. I think that there's as much truth in "Faults are thick where love is thin" as there is in saying "It's tough to love when walls are up." Regardless, this makes the unconditional love that Jesus has for all of us all the more amazing to me.

68.3 miles (110 km) in 94F (34.44C) heat: Edgewater to Melbourne, Florida

Churches are not the only ones with signs having special messages.  Along US 1 in Mims, just north of Titusville, McLeod's Set in Stone sign stated, "The choice to forgive someone is for your benefit, not theirs; it will change you." "Jesus loves you, so smile," was on the opposite side of the sign.

"Faith and fear cannot live together." Cocoa First Assembly of God, US 1, Cocoa, Florida. On the opposite side of the sign they ask and answer a simple question, "Is life empty? Let Christ come in."

A couple of kilometers before I took Route 404 (Pineda Causeway) out to Highway A1A, I stopped at the entrance to the US Today and Florida Today Headquarters. I drank a liter of water to try and cool down. Sweat immediately beaded on my forehead and stung my eyes. It was hot out.

One of the USA Today Headlines today was about California mega church pastor Rick Warren who returned to preaching after a hiatus since the April suicide of his 27-year-old son Matthew. Rick is the author of the bestselling, The Purpose Driven Life. Matthew had been suffering with depression most of his life, something that Rick prayed desperately about. 

Rick's sermon included the statement, "God wants to take your greatest sorrow and turn it into your greatest message." Sometimes when we are in the desperation of emotional pain we get so blinded by grief, denial and anger that it is hard to find anything positive. Over time though, you can heal and find those positives that are hidden. Rick's message of healing and hope in the wake of his son's death is a hard earned 'positive' that I'm certain he wishes he never had to find.

I know a lot of Christians who believe that if someone commits suicide, they are "eternally damned" and have given themselves a one way ticket to hell. I refuse to believe this. Jesus loves all of us unconditionally. Suicide is tragic, but does not exclude an individual from the grace, hope and unconditional love of God.

Canaveral National Sauna, I mean Seashore 51 miles (81 km)

Remember drive-in movies? How about a drive-in Christian Church? It was a first for me, but there's one located along Highway A1A in Daytona Beach.

If you're curious you can visit their website at www.driveinchurch.net

I was riding by the New Smyrna Beach Airport when I spotted this DC-7 airplane parked in a field. It's not everyday you get to lean your bicycle up against the landing gear of a huge plane. Built in 1957 this one flew more than 33,000 hours as a passenger and cargo plane before being decommissioned in 2005. It was rescued by the Perna family from becoming scrap metal and will soon become the DC-7 Grille which they plan to open this fall... very cool use of an old airplane... www.dc7grille.com

Today was a bit of a Forest Gump kinda day, you know, "life is kinda like a box of chocolates," metaphorically melted chocolates that I took a bite out of and then put back for another one, thanks to google maps which lead me to believe that I might be able to follow a trail through the Canaveral National Seashore along Klondike Beach to Playalinda Beach Road and Route 402.

So I rode 27.7 km (44.6 km) to the Canaveral National Seashore and was told by the park rangers that I couldn't take my bicycle on the trail. Not too sure I understand why, given that they drive ATVs on the trail. I did meet a couple nice rangers though at the National Park's Information Center though. Then I turned around and rode 14.7 miles (23.7 km), missing a turn to Highway 1, stopped a McDonald's for iced tea because my brain was boiling due to the 93 degree heat with humidity that told me you better stop soon or someone will be picking you up off the pavement, and then rode another 8.6 miles (13.8 km) to where I stopped in Edgewater. That was 51 miles (81 km) of cycling to only be about 21 miles (31 km) south of where I started in Daytona Beach... good thing I like to ride my bike.

St. Augustine to Daytona Beach, Florida 52.4 miles (84.3 km)

I had ridden for about 25 miles and was surprised to have not come across a church sign with a message to photograph. I had passed plenty of churches but the signs only had basic information about the names of pastors, times of service, bible study and children's programs. Almost as soon as I began thinking that it was strange to not see a sign with a message, I came across the Hammock Community Church sign in Palm Coast, Florida.

The south side of the sign read, "Your religion should be in your actions." As I rode away I was thinking that I'd would have worded it,  "Make your actions your spirituality."

"Always be kinder than you feel," was on the north side of the sign and seemed to be good words to live by.

Early on there was no wind and then I had a tailwind. Tailwinds are good because you can drop into higher gears and make some good time. I did this for most of the morning. The disadvantage of the tailwind happens in the heat when your speed forward is close to the airspeed of the wind behind you. That's when it feels like a sauna and the sweat on your skin doesn't evaporate it just sits on your skin combining with more sweat until you feel like a slimy ball of hot candle wax.

The heat became unbearable by noon and I stopped for lunch at Lagerheads Bar and Grill in Ormond By The Sea. The light blue clapboard beach bar and grill reflected the beach culture.

I was desperate just to get out of the sun and humidity. Once my bike was secure on the patio deck I walked into the coolness of AC. I sat at a table where I could see my bike and ordered an egg salad  sandwich on lightly toasted rye, potato salad and iced tea. As I sat waiting for food a wave of nausea passed through me and I felt lightheaded. Within seconds my gut was in cramps. I made my way to the bathroom... twice. Was it food poisoning, flu or too much potassium? No matter I ate and felt a bit better.

 Three iced teas and one ice water later, I walked out to the patio deck where I met John and his miniature Australian Sheep Dog 'Roosevelt' who was sitting at the table closest to where my bike was.
"Don't you just love it here man?" John said as Roosevelt came closer for a pat on the head. "I've lived here most of my life and you can't beat the lifestyle. Everyone is fit and healthy. You can't help but be fit and healthy here."

John lives and works as a handyman in the area and was at Lagerheads for lunch. At 51 years of age, he had the wiry build and bony prominences on his knees of a long time surfer. He went on to explain that when he was younger, he was a sponsored competitive pro surfer and had travelled around the world surfing. John asked me about my trip. I explained the healing journey that I was on and we talked about the importance of living authentically.

John occasionally took a french fry from his plate, broke it in half, made sure it wasn't too hot and passed it under the table to an eager Roosevelt.

"So many people just drift through life and they don't stop to think. I came from a Catholic family of nine and my Mom raised us to understand that what you put into life you'll get out, like a karma thing. She was smart and she was right, 'cause that's how I've seen life work."

After lunch I only travelled a short distance down the highway when spotted A1A Beachside Bicycle in Ormond By The Sea. Above is Ron the owner of the shop. He was in the middle of repacking the bottom bracket of the hybrid bike but took the time to visit with me. It was pretty nice to step into the AC of his shop, especially as I was still feeling the effects of whatever stomach bug I had.

I used one of his tire pumps an topped up both tires adding 20 psi in the front and 30 psi in the rear. The bike seems to feel best at about 100 psi in the front and 110-120 psi in the rear.

In Ormond Beach, the Grace Lutheran Church message was "TGIF - Today God is First." I kept thinking about John growing up surfing and how stepping into that surf must be like stepping into a relationship with God... the power, beauty and immense sea... if you connect, it has to be more sacred than any experience within the walls of a church.

I got into Daytona Beach, took a room and fell asleep with chills and dizziness. Two hours later I woke up feeling completely better.

St. Augustine - the oldest city in the US

I started my day off in St. Augustine by walking toward the historic district. As I walked down San Marco Avenue I spotted a funky looking bike, boarding and surf shop called Island Life.

I was welcomed into the shop by Tsumugi, daughter to the shop's owner. The shop catered more to beach culture with clothing, body boards, skate and surf boards and mostly fat tired, single speed bikes. Tsumugi and I talked about my trip and she shared that she is currently studying neuroscience with aspirations of medicine and neurosurgery. Smart young lady who will no doubt succeed.

Their shop can be visited on-line at www.islandlifestaugustine.com

The Spanish settled St. Augustine way back in 1565, well before the Pilgirms landed at Plymouth Rock. Spanish influence is readily apparent in the gardens, fountains and building architecture. 

Flagler College.

I spent hours visiting three Cutter and Cutter Galleries. Above is the entrance to Loves Fine Art Gallery where I was captivated by the romantic impressionist painting of Michael and Inessa Garmash a husband and wife creative team who hail from Russian. I was drawn to one piece in particular entitled "Rare Beauty" and had the opportunity to meet and discuss it with owner Len Cutter and Simon Metz of the Gallery.

Originals are way out of my price range, but the giclee on canvas and the fayum are both possibilites. I wasn't familiar with fayum until today. They tell me that fayum is a european technique, that if I understood this correctly, actually two different artists work on the piece - one to prepare the wood board and  the other does the actual painting (original or repro) on the canvas. The back of the board is signed by the wood artist and the front of the painting is either signed or numbered by the painter. Thankfully, my brother Mark can assist me with the gallery art market.

At Galeria del Mar I visited with Patricia Bosio the fine art consultant who shared her knowledge on artist Salvador Dali and one particular piece entitled "The Christ," an etching in sepia.

Another romantic impressionist named Daniel F. Gerhartz from Kewaskum, Wisconsin had work displayed at the Brilliance in Color Fine Art Gallery. His oil on linen entitled "Perfume" was another one that drew me in. Thanks to Mary-Kate McLure who shared her knowledge about Gerhartz' work.

Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, Florida to St. Augustine, Florida 66.2 miles (107 km)

Sunrise at Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, Florida. I rode over 8 miles on Amelia Island before I set off on the 66 mile trek to St. Augustine.

I followed Highway A1A south to the bridge across Nassau Sound and onto the lush tropical Little Talbot Island State Park. It was along this road through Talbot Island that I spotted another bicycle tourist heading north toward me. I pulled over to his side of the road. Thirty year old Fred Jones left Texas, travelled east, dipped south into part of Florida and now was heading north to New York. It was great to visit with another bicycle tourist. I handed Fred one of my newly printed cards with the blog site and email addresses. Fred had left St. Augustine this morning and I was headed to St. Augustine. We shared information about the route we had just been on. I passed on Terry's name and number, but Fred was already planning to avoid the bridge out along Highway 17 between Georgia and Florida. He said that google maps alerted him to the bridge being out. I also told him about the shuttle service across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and the ferry from Sandy Hook to Manhattan that I had used. We shook hands wished each other well and travelled in our opposite directions. Fred said he envied me cycling south in Florida. I envied the southwest tailwind that he had travelling north.

Fred's blog can be found at www.derfinusa.com

On the ferry which took me across the St. Johns River to Wayport.

A1A had a great dedicated bicycle lane for most of my day. Here a long stretch of land to the west of the road had been burned by fire.

Two groups of cyclists out for training runs came up on me during my last 22 mile stint of the day. "On your left," the lead cyclist yells alerting me to their presence. I was desperate to draft behind some cyclists.The three guys went humming by and I picked up my cadence for a stretch in hopes of catching up to them and drafting. Not a chance - I strained hard with the weight of my bike and gear and they were still pulling further away.

Day off tomorrow... laundry, rest my sore legs and ass, and visit historic St. Augustine.

Brunswick, Georgia to the bicycling paradise, Amelia Island, Florida 60 miles (100 km)

Yesterday (July 22, 2013) I only managed 28 miles from Darien to the south side of Brunswick, Georgia. I take a couple photos though:

Lighthouse Baptist Church sign states, "The message of Christ can not be changed but it can change you." I liked this message but thought that it needed a few more words, "...if you let it."

The First Free Will Baptist Church want you to, "Do more than forgive - forget." I only partially agree with this statement. By 'forgetting' you can set yourself up for the same pattern of hurt. As far as I'm concerned their is nothing wrong with remembering that which hurt you. Remembering can be protection and prevent you from going down the same bad road. Forgiveness and remembering is part of the healing journey.

The cable suspension bridge in the distance is the Sidney Lanier Bridge. The climb to the high point of the bridge, coupled with wind and heat seemed to zap my energy more than normal. My body needed a rest. When I stopped, I slept for 3 hours in the middle of the afternoon and then another 9 hours at night.

I felt a lot better today (July 23, 2013) and managed to cycle 60 miles from Brunswick, Georgia to Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, Florida.

About 9 miles out of Brunswick I stopped at the Waverly Mini Mart at the corner of Highway 17 and Route 110. I drank 2 black hot coffees and ate a few homemade oatmeal raisin cookies while visiting with Jay, the owner. I watched and listened as customers filed in and out of his shop. He knew most of them on a first name basis and his shop was an obvious hub for this small cross roads town. He said things like, "that'll be three hundred and seven cents" and "Thank you neighbour."

I shared my reasons for the bicycle tour with Jay and told him about being inspired by the book Wild by Cheryl Strayed. Jay was familiar with the fly-in fishing experience, having gone on a fly-in fishing-hunting trip to northern Ontario with his father some years before. After showing him the photo of me sitting in the boat holding the 33 inch Northern Pike, he said, "Wow, that's a big fish. Is that your father?"
"No, its me." I looked at the photo and realized how different I looked with some weight off and a tan from cycling for the past 5 weeks.

We talked about taxes and health care differences between the US and Canada. After we discussed local crime - even in this small country place crystal meth is a problem - I asked Jay if he had a gun for protection behind his counter. Jay was preparing pizzas for the lunch time customers and out of my eye shot when I asked the question. He stepped into my view and lifted his t-shirt revealing a handgun tucked into the top of his shorts.
"I hope that I never have to use it. This gun was given to me. As a shop owner in Georgia, I don't even have to have it registered. Most of the locals know that I have it."
Seeing the gun was a bit out of the ordinary for me. People don't carry guns like this in Canada and there's a pretty strict gun registry. Still it doesn't really deter gun violence in Canada. The criminal element will alway get a hold of guns regardless of the laws. I think that if I had a shop like Jay's Waverly Mini Mart, I might be inclined to have a gun for protection too.

Jay also told me that he had recently been diagnosed with a blood clot in his leg and said that they also found a spot on one of his lungs. I hope and pray for his healing. I said goodbye and we offered one another a "God Bless." I pedalled away feeling like Jay could be a friend if I lived in Georgia.

In Woodbine Georgia, I felt stronger after reading the Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church sign that stated, "The joy of the Lord is my strength."

The Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church sign states, "To recharge your spiritual battery, plug into the Source." I know that when I'm charged up spiritually, I feel better physically and emotionally.

I thought about why a church would name itself after Gethsemane. A lot took place for Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus prayed to His Father, asking if the torture and crucifixion to death could be avoided, but He chose God's will for His own suffering, death and resurrection as a promise for the redemption of all humankind. An angel visited Jesus after that prayer and strengthened Him for what was about to take place. Jesus healed the ear of the high priest's servant who was struck by a disciple's sword. Jesus was arrested and then the disciples who were with Him, left Him. The very human Jesus must have suffered so much emotionally knowing what He was about to face and also by being betrayed by those closest to Him.

This is Curtis and Madeline of Faith Barber and Beauty Salon. I spotted their shop along Hwy 17 (291A North Lee St.) in Kingsland, Georgia and was compelled to stop for the haircut that I was needing. Madeline sat me in her styling chair and began my clipper cut. There was a book by Joel Osteen on a stool near us. I knew that I was amongst good people when I spotted that book. Joel Osteen is one of the few television preachers that I like to listen to. He is a great story teller and his messages are clear, concise, encouraging and relevant. Curtis, the barber, came in an gave me a world class clipper cut.

Along Highway 17 into Kingland there were signs stating that the bridge ahead was not passible. This is the bridge that spans the St. Mary's River - Georgia on one side and Florida on the other. As I approached the intersection of Highway 17 and Highway 40 in Kingsland, I spotted an officer in a police car parked facing the Southbound Highway 17 traffic. I pulled up beside his car and motioned for him to roll down his window. He had a police dog in the car that started to bark at my presence. Instead of rolling down the window he motioned for me to move so that he could get out of the patrol car.
"Hi there, I noticed the signs saying the bridge is out. Can I get by on a bike?"
"No the bridge is totally shut down."
"Well can I go on I95 to get into Florida?"
"No what you have to do is turn right here and take 40 into Folkston and then get on Hwy 1 which will take you into Florida."
"Okay, but isn't that way out of my way?"
"It'll only add about 4 miles onto your route."
"Okay, thanks for your help."
"You be careful."
"I will. Thanks."

I started to pedal west along Highway 40 and decided to stop for lunch at a diner before leaving Kingsland. A guy pulled up in his pick-up truck and approached me.
"Are you trying to go south on 17 into Florida?"
"Yeah but the bridge is out and the cop back at the corner told me to go this way."
"Did he tell you how far out of your way you'd be going?"
"He said only about 4 more miles."
"You're kidding! It's more like 40 miles out of your way. I'm Terry, I own a bike shop in St. Mary's which is east on Highway 40. I'd be happy to put your bike in my pick-up and drive you over the river on I-95."

Trust. This was the first time that someone just came up to me out of the blue and made an offer like this. My head kinda whirled with, who is this guy and can he be trusted? Sometimes you just get a good feeling about someone and intuitively know their heart and that they can be trusted.

Terry and I shook hands and then loaded my bike into the back of his trailer. I asked Terry if his shop was on our way.
"Why do you need something?"
"I've been stopping at bike shops along my route. I'm trying to find a souvenier bike-shop-jersey, but most shops don't carry them or they don't have my size."
Terry immediately called his wife Darlene at the shop and determined that they had a jersey that I might like and in my size.

Terry with my bike loaded in the back of his pick-up. St. Marys is a major Naval submarine base and an economic lifeline to the town. Terry served as a submariner with the US Navy and recalled a visit to Halifax after his sub had made a trip under the Arctic. When he finished serving he opened up a bicycle shop.

Terry and Darlene Landreth outside of their Camden Bicycle Center shop, 1929 Osbourne Road, St. Marys, Georgia. Not only did they have a great jersey that I bought, but Terry took me on a driving tour of St. Marys.

You can visit their website at www.camdenbikes.com

On our way to I-95 Terry asked if I had taken photos of state signs during my trip.
"Yeah, in fact I've got a photo of my bike next to the Florida sing along Highway 17 that I took during my 1986 bicycle tour."
"I'm driving you to that sign so that you can take a photo for this tour."

This is the same sign that my bicycle was leaning up against in 1986. I'm wearing the new jersey from the Camden Bicycle Center.

Meeting Terry and his kindness was completely unexpected. When we parted shaking hands I said, "Thank you. You know there are no coincidences. You are a God-send."

My ride into Yulee, Florida seemed effortless. I stopped at Missy's Daily Buffet - a recommendation by Terry  and had a filling lunch with 2 large glasses of iced tea that revived me from the hot ride. Two young ladies named Sarah and Amber were working at Missy's and asked about my trip. Amber had recently purchased a bike from Terry's shop and was pleased to know that he had recommended Missy's.Sarah stepped out of Missy's as I was about to pedal away and shook my hand a second time saying, "if you need anything you just give us a call."

I'm so grateful for the kind people that I've met today.

The west side of the Yulee United Methodist Church sign reads,"Weather forecast Jesus rains." Yes, Jesus rains love upon us and He Reigns as our Saviour."

The east side of the sign, "Of faith, hope and love, Love is the greatest."

Florida's Highway A1A had a dedicated bike lane most of the way... the bicycling promised land.

Thunder storms, Southwest Wind and America's Smallest Church 50.2 miles (80.7 km)

The American Flag shows the stiff southwest wind that I pedalled into this morning. "Christ will Make the Difference" is the message on the Bethel Baptist Church sign.

The people at Riceboro Church of God want you to "Come to Jesus while there is still time."

The New Church ofChrist in Unity want those passing to know that "Forgiveness is God's Gift to Us."

I had visited the Smallest Church in America during the 1986 bicycle tour. In fact, I went in and tried to talk to God about my having been assaulted in Virginia, but back then, my relationship with Him was tenuous at best.

The Non-Denominational chapel was "Built in 1949 by Mrs. Agnes Harper and Deeded to Jesus Christ." The Smallest Church in American hasn't changed much in the last 27 years. I recall Highway 17 being closer to the church than it is now. There are also numerous statues on the property that were not there back then.

Inside the Smallest Church in America. I signed the guest register and left the following message, "Jesus has blessed and protected me on my journey -  a bicycle tour from Canada to Florida. I am grateful to all the loving people I've met on route. Thank you Lord for putting them in my path and the healing journey that this has been. Blessings to all who visit this little church."

The Shorter Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church sign told me that "For every Goliath there is a stone." The story of David and Goliath is one of faith in the face of fear and overwhelming odds. If anyone is interested in revisiting this story it can be found in 1 Samuel Chapter 17

After I decided to stop cycling south due to thunder storms, I weaved through the streets of Darien, Georgia and came across the Darien First Presbyterian Church with the sign, "Our Church is Prayer Conditioned." This church was founded in 1736 by Scottish Highlanders. The mission statement of the church reads as follows, "To be a loving and faithful community united in Christ bringing glory to God through prayer, discipleship, witness, study, nurture, fellowship and service."

Hardeeville, South Carolina to Savannah, Georgia 15.8 miles (25.5 km)

Highway 17 took me into Savannah, Georgia. In the distance is the Talmadge Memorial Bridge which spans the Savannah River. I passed a sign that stated bicycles were prohibited on the bridge. Is that what the sign said? I kept pedalling and crossed the massive bridge without issue.

I met Wanda, nicknamed 'Woo' at the Old Town Trolley Tours of Savannah. She spoke to her coworker Cathy and arranged a free hop-on-hop-off trolley tour for me. Wanda's kindness matched perfectly the small badge above her name tag which stated, "Prayer Changes Things." Thank you Wanda!

My first stop was to the Perry Rubber Bike Shop, located at the corner of Perry Lane and Bull St. in the historic district of Savannah. I asked the owner of the store if this was the same store 27 years ago during the 1986 bicycle tour. The Perry Rubber Bike Shop was only 4 years old. He did know one of the two bicycle racers, Carl and J.P. that I had met back then.

Three brothers from Greece, George, Peter and Basil Leopold opened the ice cream shop in 1919. It was a popular fixture in Savannah until closing in 1969. The youngest child of Peter Leopold, Stratton and his wife Mary reopened the famous shop in 2004. I walked into the shop and was greeted by several servers shouting "Welcome to Leopold's". The coffee milk shake and toasted egg salad sandwich convinced me of the shops excellent reputation. You can learn more about this famous shop at: www.leopoldsicecream.com

Antique police car in front of the Savannah Chatham Metropolitan Police Department.

Another antique police car in front of the Savannah Chatham Metropolitan Police Department.

This custom police-taxi car displays an important message for the prevention of impaired driving. The rear of the car is a Yellow Cab taxi and states "This ride about $20". The front of the car is Savannah-Chatham Police car and states "This ride = $1,800.00+"

This is the Dunham Tabernacle Baptist Church, located on Nicoll St. The sign states, "Jesus is the rock of our salvation."

"Live Right and Glorify God" is the message on the 2nd St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, also located on Nicoll St.

There's a variety of shops and restaurants on River St.

River St. fronts the Savannah River, a major container ship port.

The following paintings caught my eye. They displayed a simplicity and vibrancy that drew me in.

Above is the artist, Martin. He moved to Savannah 4 years ago from Haiti.

I visited with Michael, a disabled Vietnam Vet who makes flowers, hats, baskets and other designs out of palm fronds.

I introduced myself to this guy, Mike who makes wire names. I told him about my friend Hubert Marcoux who built his sailboat from the proceeds of gold wire name jewelry. I had a lump in my throat when I explained to him that Hubert was lost at sea in 2009. We shook hands after I took Mike's photo and started to walk away.
"Hey, what was your name?"
"Pat"
Mike reached to his table, grabbed a wire 'Pat' name and said, "This was waiting for you, thanks for sharing your story."
This is the second time on my trip that I have felt Hubert's presence. It feels like he is looking out for me in the spiritual realm and I'm thankful to him for that.

The palm frond flower made by Michael and the wire name made by Mike.

In 1986 when I arrived in Savannah, I met Joe Lamm at the same bicycle shop where I had met the two bicycle racers, Carl and JP. At that time Joe was the manager at The Chart House restaurant. I found The Chart House Restaurant which was now located on River St. and stopped in for an iced tea and Caesar salad. I was still in a fearful and stressed out state because of the assault in Virginia. I hadn't told Joe (or anyone for over 20 years) what happened. I think that he sensed my nervousness and went out of his way to make me fell welcomed. I've tried to located him on-line, but have not had any success.

I asked the waitress if I could speak to Michael Bailey, the current manager. Michael approached my table, which was on the patio overlooking river St. and the river. I asked him to grab a seat for a minute and then proceeded to tell him about the 1986 bicycle tour and Joe Lamm. Michael had no idea who Joe Lamm was, the restaurant had seen numerous managers over the years. Then he said, "I think that there's someone here who was around back then. Let me go ask."

A few minutes later a chef Major Davis approached the table. He has worked for the restaurant since 1985 and remember Joe. I told Major about how I met joe at the bicycle shop along with Carl and JP.
"I know Carl, everybody knows Carl."

Major Davis and me on the patio of The Chart House Restaurant.

I'm standing in Johnson square to photograph the golden domed Savannah City Hall.

Downtown Savannah has numerous public squares, each one unique and named for a famous historical figure prominent in Savannah, Georgia and U.S. history. The squares are characterized by gardens, fountains, statues memorials and beautiful trees mostly Palm, Magnolia and Live Oak trees. Spanish moss hangs in the Live Oak trees. The Live Oaks are deciduous trees but remain leafy green year round because they do not lose their leaves all at once. At one time people of Georgia used the Spanish Moss to stuff pillows and mattresses. They quickly found out that the Spanish Moss was home to a biting insect called a Chigger... apparently this is where the saying, "Don't let the bed bugs bite," originated.